interestedinPAschool Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Hello! I am currently having an existential crisis and would be EXTREMELY grateful for any advice I can get as I am currently feeling very lost. I just graduated, May 2018, with my B.S. in psychology from a top 10 public university. I am currently working as a medical research assistant, with the original intent to apply for my PhD in clinical psychology within the next year or two, to become a child/adolescent psychologist. I have recently started thinking about the possibility of becoming a PA though. However, I did not complete the pre-reqs for PA school while in undergrad. My question is, would it be possible to complete these pre-reqs at a community college? This is the only way I could see this career path being possible for me at this point, as I cannot afford to go back to a 4 year university. Do PA schools look down at community college courses? Would I not even be a contender when applying? Thank you so much in advance for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blynn12 Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 My entire PA school prereq coursework was through community college. Then I went into a specific associates program at a CC and obtained my bachelor's online. As long as your classes meet the school requirements, you'll be fine. Start thinking about which schools you'd want to apply for and check the requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilymuff Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 When in doubt, contact the PA programs you’re interested in and speak with them. In my experience, schools don’t look down on CC courses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizli1 Posted October 2, 2018 Share Posted October 2, 2018 I would look at the specific programs you are planning to apply to and see if they have any requirements about where you take prerequisites. I also had to go back to school after my bachelors and took probably about half or more of my prerequisites at a community college. I have been offered 10 interviews and I have attended 3 so far with multiple acceptances and no one has brought this up.Doesn't seem to be an issue at all as long as you meet the requirements! I also researched hundreds of programs before applying and I don't remember coming across any that had an issue with CC courses. Hope this can be an encouragement to you! Good luck on your journey . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prepa0123 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Completed most of my prerequisites at a community college and received close to ten interviews and I am in currently in PA school. Maximize your community college experience and get close with some of your professors for a possible TA position and even a future letter of rec ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCCathLab Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 A few schools I found have said they give strong preference to pre-reqs taken at 4-year institutions, but I believe that's because they're super competitive and receive several thousand applications for less than 100 seats. They can afford to be snobby. The vast majority of schools don't care as long as they're regionally accredited. They are far more concerned that you performed well in your classes, especially if you did so while working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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